A DECENTLY POPULATION AREA BETWEEN THE CIDURIAN RIVER IS NOW A PUBLIC SPACE

The 1.3 km long land has been laid out and revitalized by the Bandung City Government in collaboration with the Citarum River Basin Center (BBWS), Sector 22 Citarum Harum, and the surrounding community.

At first the area was quite slum and crowded with illegal buildings, but now it looks neater accompanied by plants that adorn the flow of the Cidurian River. There is also a miniature house that can be used as a photo spot.

"The concept is a waterfront, where the river is the front of the house, not behind the house. Because if the river is behind the house, it will throw garbage into the river," said Acting Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana after inaugurating Phase I of the Cidurian River Arrangement, Monday, December 27, 2021.

Yana revealed that the Bandung City Government not only organizes but also relocates its residents who live around the banks of the Cidurian River.

For this, the arrangement received direct appreciation from the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and also the Governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil.

"And thank God, the demolition (of illegal buildings) was carried out by the community themselves. Thanks to socialization and providing understanding to residents, they were able to dismantle independently," he said.

"Previously this was a densely populated settlement, and hopefully the ODF (Open Defecation Free) will be reduced because there is no domestic waste. We can see that the water quality has also improved," he added.

He said that residents who originally lived on the banks of the river had been assisted by the Bandung City Government with Sector 22 Citarum Harum to several places, such as Rusunawa Rancacili and some moved independently to private homes.

"There are approximately 135 families (KK) from Antapani, not to mention those from Arcamanik," he explained.

He also hopes that the community can participate in helping to care for and maintain the public space that has been provided.

"Hopefully the role of the community will take care of this place. I have enough confidence that the residents will take care of this place," said Yana.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bandung City Public Works Agency, Didi Ruswandi, said that the new arrangement was completed until the first stage, which was 70 meters long.

"This is the first stage and will be continued until the end, approximately 1.3 km. Not to mention the Cibodas River, yesterday we received attention from the governor but we have not confirmed it yet," he said.

"For control it takes about 4 months, construction takes about 2 months. We hope that those who come here can take photos too, digital tourism," he added. (tan)**

HEAD OF PROTOCOL AND COMMUNICATION LEADERS OF BANDUNG CITY Regional Secretariat

SONY TEGUH PRASATYA